Carnival’s Fathom cruises, MSC Cruises set to travel to Cuba

Cuba is on the horizon for two major cruise lines.

Carnival Corp. has just announced its new Fathom line — dedicated to social impact cruising — will begin seven-day voyages to Cuba from PortMiami in May.

Also setting its sights on Cuba is MSC Cruises, which will send its recently refurbished ship, MSC Opera, to homeport in Havana in December.

Fathom launches its 710-passenger vessel MV Adonia in April, with seven-day voyages to the Dominican Republic. The following month the line will begin alternating between Dominican and Cuban itineraries. The new Cuban itineraries will comply with U.S. Department of Treasury rules that allow licensed travel companies to transport approved travelers to Cuba to engage in activities that support the Cuban people, including cultural, artistic, faith-based and humanitarian exchanges.

If you book, don’t expect a casino or Broadway shows — instead, plan to be immersed in the Cuban culture, with onboard activities geared toward the experiences awaiting travelers in that country. Also plan to spend about eight hours “on the ground” while in port, involved in various social impact activities.

The family can come along, but guests must be at least 8 years old to sail on Adonia, according to the cruise line’s website.

Tara Russell, president of Fathom, said the line is investigating “11 ports of promise” on the island, and plans are to include three different ports on each sailing.

Prices for seven-day itineraries to Cuba start at $2,990 per person, excluding taxes, port and other government and related fees, and including all meals on the ship, onboard social impact immersion experiences and certain on-the-ground cultural immersion activities. Bookings are open now, although Carnival Corp. is awaiting final approval by the Cuban authorities.

Learn more about Fathom and social impact cruising at www.fathom.org.

MSC Opera will be arriving in Havana on Dec. 18, as part of its Grand Voyage from Genoa, Italy.

The 2,120-guest ship will offer seven-night cruises from Dec. 22 through early April, calling on Montego Bay, Jamaica; George Town, Grand Cayman Island; and Cozumel, Mexico. The ship will also spend two nights in the Cuban capital.

The cruise line is partnering with Cubanacan to provide ground services and shore excursions.

The cruises from Havana will be available as fly-and-cruises combinations from Spain, Italy, France, Germany, Canada, Brazil and Argentina.

As far as U.S. citizens sailing on MSC Opera, a spokesman for the line stated, “A U.S. national or Green Card holder that wants to take an MSC Cruises Cuban cruise must have a special Office of Foreign Assets Control licence to travel, or fall within one of the 12 categories of permitted travel listed in the Cuban sanctions regulations.”

According to the U.S. Department of State website, the 12 categories of permitted travel to, from and within Cuba are: family visits; official business of the U.S. government, foreign governments and certain intergovernmental organizations; journalistic activity; professional research and professional meetings; educational activities; religious activities; public performances, clinics, workshops, athletic and other competitions, and exhibitions; support for the Cuban people; humanitarian projects; activities of private foundations or research or educational institutes; exportation, importation or transmission of information or information materials; and certain authorized export transactions.